Economic Development Task Force

At his inauguration in August 2013, NCACC President Ray Jeffers of Person County announced an initiative to examine and enhance the county role in economic development.

“The state is completely changing how it does economic development, and I believe that counties need to be represented during this process,” Jeffers said. “It is critical that the state understands the different issues counties face when it comes to economic development. A one-size-fits-all approach will not work.”

Mission Statement
The Economic Development Task Force aims to ensure that the important role of county governments in economic development is maintained and enhanced as the State of North Carolina revises its economic development strategy. The Task Force will partner with the NC Department of Commerce and other stakeholders to identify opportunities for economic growth, the tools needed to grow North Carolina's local economies, and strategies to achieve sustainable growth for all counties.

Membership

Chairman Larry Phillips, Surry County Commissioner

Kevin Austin, Yadkin County Commissioner

Kitty Barnes, Catawba County Commissioner

Fred Belfield, Nash County Commissioner

Gary D. Blevins, Wilkes County Commissioner

Mark Clasby, Haywood County Economic Development Director

Jimmy Clayton, Person County Commissioner

Johnnie Ray Farmer, Hertford County Commissioner

Fred Foster, Durham County Commissioner

Darryl Frye, Randolph County Commissioner

Ronnie Goswick, Franklin County Economic Development Director

Wanda Greene, Buncombe County Manager

Nate Hall, Caswell County Commissioner

Brenda Howerton, Durham County Commissioner

Leon Inman, Stokes County Commissioner

Jerry Jones, Greene County Commissioner

Steve Keen, Wayne County Commissioner

Thomas Lucas, Wilson County Commissioner

Fred McClure, Davidson County Commissioner

Charlie Messer, Henderson County Commissioner

Ed Mims, Granville County Commissioner

Julius Owens, Rutherford County Commissioner

Mark Richardson, Rockingham County Commissioner

Jeff Taylor, Craven County Commissioner

Tommie Thompson, Henderson County Commissioner

Dudley Watts, Forsyth County Manager

How Can County Officials Help?

NCACC staff presented the presidential initiative to each of the NCACC’s seven steering committees in October 2013 and asked:

What do you see are the biggest areas for improvement in economic development in the state?

What incentives do you see as being the most useful when thinking about this initiative?

The Economic Development Task Force will examine these issues and feedback received from steering committee members.